The Enduring Radiance of Tiaras and Headbands

May 15, 2015byKimberly Corrigan

The tiara and headband have long reigned supreme over the world of fine jewelry, their timeless appeal ensuring they are as relevant today as in the historical records. Exquisitely crafted, they offer a master class in jewelry-making, testing the talent of traditional craftsmen and connecting contemporary designers to our cultural roots. First embraced by the royal houses, the fashion of wearing a tiara quickly spread to the worlds of the rich and famous. Those with a desire for the same heady glamour later took up the trend. The bridal sector inevitably embraced the tiara as the perfect complement to its own heightened sense of celebration. Today, the tiara forms the perfect setting for Swarovski’s Genuine Gemstones and Created Stones, inspiring the vision of both jewelry creators and brides.

Gem Visions, Swarovski’s in-depth trend research service, has been serving the fine jewelry industry for more than a decade by identifying the latest fashions and sharing corresponding design directions. Its team recently became intrigued by the unique “playground” that tiaras and headbands offer designers passionate about working with stones. In their hands, the diadem expresses contemporary classicism, romanticism, or even minimalism—the themes determined by Swarovski’s style experts and elaborated in detail in the new Gem Visions Tiara & Headband Special publication.

Renowned designer Judith Ripka—one of the creative minds invited by Swarovski to participate in the Tiara & Headband Special—describes her experience working on the tiara presented in the book: “I draw some of my greatest design inspiration from my home in New York City, where the skyline is shaped by the architecture of some of the world’s most iconic towers. This tiara takes its shape from the timeless style of the Chrysler Building, with a nod to its Art Deco flourishes. Perched on top of any bride’s head, it will make her feel like American royalty.” The regal tiara, now and forever!